The Transmitter
When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 4: How did things unfold?
Tempest McDonald sues Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her published NIH paper finds allies.
Syndicated
Autism reporting and research carried from partner publishers — attributed in full and linked to the original. Licensed pieces are republished verbatim; others are summarized with a link.
The Transmitter
NeuroDev study maps previously unseen genetic variation in Africa
The project is helping to fill critical gaps in the genetic underpinnings of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Neuroscience News
Dogs May Bridge the Autism Drug Discovery Gap
Shank3 mutant laboratory Beagles could bridge the 90% failure gap in autism drug development, as their uniquely co-evolved social architecture allows them to mirror human-like social withdrawal, gaze aversion, and sensory changes far better than rodent models.
Medical Xpress
Anatomically accurate digital twin of 2-year-old's brain uncovers neural signatures linked to autism
For decades, researchers have been trying to understand the biological roots of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a common neurodevelopmental condition that shapes how people communicate, learn and interact with the world. One of the major hurdles is that the brain's neural networks are extraordinarily complex. Existing models still lack the detail needed to capture both the brain's structure and its dynamic activity in a unified manner.
The Transmitter
Role of GABA-A receptors in dup15q syndrome, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 June.
Medical Xpress
Three genes may link six mental disorders through shared biomarkers
Different neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are characterized by highly distinct patterns of behavior and associated challenges. While many past neuroscience studies have tried to uncover the unique neurobiological underpinnings of each condition, whether they share any common markers remains unclear.
Neuroscience News
Autism Mutations Converge on Shared Early Brain Pathways
A new study revealed that hundreds of diverse genetic causes of autism converge on shared molecular pathways.
Medical Xpress
Gene tied to energy production in brain could lead to new treatment for cognitive disorders
Researchers in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo have discovered a connection between a specific gene and healthy brain function. "The hope is that this discovery could eventually lead to expanded treatment for psychiatric and neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism," explains Mikhail V. Pletnikov, MD, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, the senior author of the study with Kateryna (Kate) Murlanova, Ph.D., the first lead author and a research scientist in the department.
Medical Xpress
What brain waves reveal about language in autistic children
UNIGE scientists have discovered that children with autism exhibit different brain patterns depending on their language abilities. This discovery could improve predictions of their language development.
Medical Xpress
Autism-related genes may share common path during early brain development
Hundreds of genes have been linked to autism, yet the precise molecular and cellular mechanisms behind it remain largely unclear. A new study published in Nature, led by Gaia Novarino at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), aims to uncover these mechanisms and, in doing so, might lay the groundwork for developing medical therapies.
Medical Xpress
People diagnosed with ADHD and autism more recently show lower genetic risk than earlier cases
The rise in the number of cases of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) always gets quite a bit of attention from both the public and the media. This has led to the rise of several misinformed theories about the cause. On the other hand, the increase in the number of people diagnosed has also led to crucial scientific investigations.
Medical Xpress
Traditional tertiary teaching models shortchanging neurodivergent students in health care studies
Recent Deakin research into the experiences of neurodivergent students studying for future health care careers showed many experience stigma, inadequate help in classroom and clinical settings, and hard-to-navigate support systems. The study, led by Associate Professor Laura Gray from the Damion Drapac Center for Equity in Health Professions Education, surveyed 183 graduate students from universities across Australia studying a variety of health courses, including occupational therapy, nursing and medicine.
Neuroscience News
Cerebellar Matrix Failures Lock Down the Brain’s Social Networks
Structural alterations within the cerebellar extracellular matrix serve as primary drivers of autism-related circuit dysfunction.
Medical Xpress
Cerebellar nets may regulate social behavior and help explain autism-linked circuit changes
Researchers at Kanazawa University have identified a previously unrecognized mechanism by which structural changes in the cerebellum influence social behavior. The study demonstrates that disruption of specialized extracellular structures surrounding cerebellar neurons alters neuronal activity across brain circuits involved in social behavior. The findings provide new insight into the neural mechanisms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The work is published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.
Medical Xpress
HERC2 gene's key role in rare neurodevelopmental syndrome deciphered
For years, it has been known that mutations in both copies of the HERC2 gene are associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disability, features of the autism spectrum and movement disorders—characteristics very similar to those of Angelman syndrome, a better-known but equally rare condition. However, the exact function of the affected gene (HERC2) and the molecules with which it interacts remained unclear. Without understanding the biology underlying the syndrome, it was difficult to comprehend how it works and to devise therapeutic
Medical Xpress
Ten-week therapy empowers parents to solve severe selective eating in children with autism
Picky eating is a challenge most parents are familiar with, but for parents of autistic children, severe selective eating can lead to nutritional deficiencies and place tremendous stress on the family. However, a new study from Constructor University Ph.D. candidate Sofya Bajaa has demonstrated a transformative new approach to treating severe selective eating in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Bajaa's newly developed Schmetterling Nutritional Behavior Intervention (NBI) program achieved dramatic improvements in dietary variety and nutritional intake over just 10 weeks.
Neuroscience News
Parental Infertility Biology, Not IVF, Linked to Child Autism Traits
A new study untangled the relationship between parental fertility history, reproductive technologies, and childhood behavioral outcomes.
Neuroscience News
Silencing One Brain Gene May Reverse Autism Deficits
Can pinpointing a cognition-selective glycine transporter restore receptor function and reverse autism-related behaviors in adults? A new study identified the transporter SLC6A20 as a safe therapeutic target to reverse NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction.
Medical Xpress
Novel therapy may reverse autism-related brain deficits, study suggests
Researchers have identified a promising new therapeutic strategy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A research team led by Director KIM Eunjoon of the IBS Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions has now identified a promising new strategy for restoring NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function by targeting a glycine transporter called Slc6a20a/SLC6A20.
Medical Xpress
Autism may have two distinct subtypes based on brain connectivity patterns
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), commonly referred to as autism, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social interactions, communication, behavior and the processing of sensory stimuli. Notably, the experiences, aptitudes and needs of autistic people can vary significantly.
Medical Xpress
RFK Jr. seeks to peek at Americans' medical records for clues on autism and vaccines
U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pursuing federal government access to most Americans' medical records, in a quest to research a link between vaccines and autism—a connection the medical establishment studied for decades and flatly rejects.
Medical Xpress
ACT-based program helps parents of children with disabilities handle stress, randomized trial shows
Parents of children with ADHD, autism and other disabilities reported increased psychological flexibility and reduced stress after participating in the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy–based program Navigator ACT. The results come from a study conducted at Karolinska Institutet and published in the journal Autism Research. "The intervention made it easier to be the parent you want to be," says first author Tiina Holmberg Bergman.
Medical Xpress
Autism risk framework tracks genes, maternal factors and environment across 18,000 families
A new statistical framework developed by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Kaiser Permanente Northern California offers improved understanding of how genetics and environment contribute to autism risk.
Neuroscience News
Study Reverses Structural Autism Deficits in Brain Cells
A new study demonstrates that structural autism deficits are entirely reversible through circuit-specific interventions.
Medical Xpress
Activating specific neural circuits rescues autism-like behaviors in mouse model
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an innate brain developmental disorder that often manifests from early childhood. While genetic factors and differences in brain development are known to be involved, a definitive cure has yet to be established. Understanding and potentially reversing the underlying neurological abnormalities is a major challenge in neuroscience.
Medical Xpress
New insights into how autistic and non-autistic people learn about one another
New research from the George Washington University has yielded some unexpected insights into how autistic and non-autistic people learn about one another's preferences. The study indicates that both groups rely on similar learning strategies; however, key differences may help us understand how autistic and non-autistic peers understand one another.
ScienceDaily
Brain scans reveal two distinct types of autism
Scientists have uncovered evidence that autism may include at least two biologically distinct subtypes, each marked by a different pattern of brain communication. By combining brain scans from nearly 1,000 people with autism with insights from 20 genetically engineered mouse models, researchers identified a “hyperconnectivity” subtype, where brain regions communicate more than usual, and a “hypoconnectivity” subtype, where communication is reduced.
Medical Xpress
Acetaminophen reaffirmed as first-line medication for treating pain and fever during pregnancy
Acetaminophen remains the recommended first-line medication to treat pain and fever during pregnancy, according to an updated statement from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). A comprehensive review of the available scientific evidence does not establish a causal relationship between acetaminophen taken during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, according to SMFM. The work is published in the journal Pregnancy.
ScienceDaily
Scientists discover gut bacteria that may help protect against autism and ADHD
A major study suggests that some of the groundwork for brain development may be shaped before birth through a surprising partnership between a baby’s genes and gut microbes. Researchers found that epigenetic changes present at birth can influence how the gut microbiome develops during the first year of life, and certain combinations were linked to early signs of autism and ADHD by age three.
Neuroscience News
Two Distinct Autism Subtypes Identified Via Brain Connectivity
A new study leverages a multi-site database of over 1,900 fMRI scans to isolate at least two distinct subtypes of autism defined by their brain connectivity.
Neuroscience News
Can a Urine Test Predict Autism Early?
A new study introduces the “Microbially-Derived Metabolite (MDM) System,” a non-invasive urine test that tracks 17 small molecules produced by gut microorganisms to identify children at high risk for autism.
Neuroscience News
Genetic Mutations Overwhelm Female Biological Autism Shield
A new study delivered the first empirical proof that severe genetic mutations can completely eliminate the natural biological protection females hold against autism spectrum disorder.
Neuroscience News
Leucovorin Autism Prescriptions Surge 2,000% via Media Hype
A new study reveals that off-label prescriptions of leucovorin for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) surged by over 2,000% following viral media coverage and promotional statements from White House officials.
ScienceDaily
Brain study reveals hidden link between autism and ADHD
Scientists are uncovering a surprising connection between autism and ADHD that goes deeper than labels. Instead of diagnoses, it’s the severity of autism-like traits that seems to shape how the brain is wired—even in children who don’t officially have autism. The study found that certain brain networks tied to thinking and social behavior stay unusually connected in kids with stronger autism symptoms, hinting at a different developmental path.
ScienceDaily
Your brain could help solve autism and most people don’t know it
A new survey reveals a striking disconnect in how Americans think about autism research. While nearly everyone agrees that studying the autistic brain is essential, most people are unaware that brain donation after death is a key part of making that research possible. Unlike organ donation, brain donation is a separate process, and widespread confusion remains about how it works, when it must occur, and who can participate.
ScienceDaily
Scientists discover a brain signal that may trigger autism’s domino effect
Researchers have uncovered a surprising molecular chain reaction in the brain that may play a role in some forms of autism. The study suggests that nitric oxide, a tiny signaling molecule normally involved in fine-tuning communication between brain cells, can sometimes trigger a cascade of changes inside neurons. When nitric oxide activity rises, it can alter a protective protein called TSC2, weakening an important cellular brake and allowing the mTOR pathway, which controls growth and protein production, to become overactive.
ScienceDaily
Everyone thought autism mostly affected boys. This study says otherwise
Autism has long been thought of as a condition that mostly affects boys, but a massive study from Sweden suggests that idea may be misleading. Tracking nearly 3 million people over decades, researchers found that while boys are diagnosed more often in childhood, girls steadily catch up during their teenage years. By early adulthood, autism diagnoses among males and females are nearly equal.
ScienceDaily
New research shows emotional expressions work differently in autism
Researchers found that autistic and non-autistic people move their faces differently when expressing emotions like anger, happiness, and sadness. Autistic participants tended to rely on different facial features and produced more varied expressions, which can look unfamiliar to non-autistic observers. The study suggests emotional misunderstandings are a two-way street, not a one-sided deficit.
ScienceDaily
A massive scientific review put alternative autism therapies to the test
A major new review has put hundreds of alternative autism treatments under the microscope—and most didn’t hold up. Scientists analyzed decades of research and found little reliable evidence that popular approaches like probiotics, acupuncture, or music therapy truly work. Alarmingly, safety was often ignored, with many treatments never properly evaluated for side effects. The researchers stress that looking at the full body of evidence matters far more than trusting a single hopeful study.